Connected logistics receptacle apparatus, systems, and methods with proactive unlocking functionality related to a dispatched logistics operation by a mobile logistics asset having an associated mobile transceiver

Abstract

An improved connected logistics receptacle system with proactive unlocking functionality related to a dispatched logistics operation by a mobile logistics asset having an associated mobile transceiver. The system includes a storage receptacle for receiving a delivery item, a bridge node mounted to the storage receptacle, and a wireless accessory sensor node having at least one sensor that monitors for a change in the storage receptacle associated with a deposit of a delivery item relative to the storage receptacle. The bridge node includes a bridge node processor that transmits retrieved event information to the backend server to cause the backend server to initiate the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle and generates lock control input to automatically change a lock from a secure state to an unlocked state based upon status information received from the mobile transceiver of the mobile logistics asset.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An improved connected logistics receptacle system with proactive unlocking functionality related to a dispatched logistics operation by a mobile logistics asset having an associated mobile transceiver, the system comprising:
 a storage receptacle for receiving a delivery item, the storage receptacle comprising
 an entrance opening for receiving the delivery item, 
 a temporary storage area for temporarily maintaining the delivery item once the delivery item has been deposited within the storage receptacle through the entrance opening, 
 a selectively accessible retrieval door providing access to the delivery item within the temporary storage area of the storage receptacle, and 
 a lock disposed on the storage receptacle and relative to the selectively accessible retrieval door, the lock being operative to change between two lock states in response to a lock control input, wherein a first of the lock states comprises a secure state that prevents the selectively accessible retrieval door from opening and providing access to within the temporary storage area, wherein a second of the lock states comprises an unlocked state that allows the selectively accessible retrieval door to open relative to the temporary storage area for selective access to within the temporary storage area, 
   a bridge node mounted to the storage receptacle, the bridge node comprising
 a bridge node processor, 
 a bridge node memory coupled to the bridge node processor, the bridge node memory storage maintaining bridge node code for execution by the bridge node processor, and 
 a communication interface coupled to the bridge node processor, the communication interface being operative to communicate with a backend server and the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset; 
   a wireless accessory sensor node having at least one sensor that monitors for a change in the storage receptacle associated with a deposit of the delivery item relative to the storage receptacle, wherein the wireless accessory sensor node being further operative to
 detect the receipt of the delivery item relative to the storage receptacle based upon sensor data generated by the at least one sensor, 
 record timestamped information reflecting the detected receipt of the delivery item, and 
 broadcast a notification of event information available for upload related to the detected receipt of the delivery item, the event information including at least the timestamped information reflecting the detected receipt of the delivery item; and 
   wherein the bridge node processor, when executing the bridge node code maintained on the bridge node memory, is operative to
 receive the notification about the event information available for upload from the wireless accessory sensor node, 
 retrieve the event information available for upload from the wireless accessory sensor node, 
 transmit the retrieved event information to the backend server to cause the backend server to initiate the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle, 
 receive status information from the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset while the mobile logistics asset performs the dispatched logistics operation, the status information being related to an operating status of the mobile logistics asset, and 
 generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state based upon the status information received from the mobile transceiver while the mobile logistics asset performs the dispatched logistics operation. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to receive the status information from the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset by being further operative to receive the status information from a mobile node-enabled badge carried by courier personnel operating as the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to receive the status information from the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset by being further operative to receive the status information from a mobile handheld communication device carried by courier personnel operating as the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to receive the status information from the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset by being further operative to receive the status information from a vehicle-based transceiver operating as the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the status information related to the operating status of the mobile logistics asset comprises information on a delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the status information related to the operating status of the mobile logistics asset comprises information on an operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset comprises an ignition status of the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset comprises a location status of the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset comprises a movement status of the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset comprises a movement status of the delivery vehicle and a location status of the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the location status of the vehicle comprises a current location of the delivery vehicle relative to a location of the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the location status of the vehicle comprises a current location of the delivery vehicle relative to a geo-fence location associated with the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to, prior to receiving the status information, detect the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset after transmission of the retrieved event information to the backend server. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to detect the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset by being operative to detect an initial message broadcast from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to generate the lock control input by being further operative to generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state when (a) the mobile transceiver has been authenticated by the bridge node as being authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle and (b) based upon the status information received from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle by being further operative to successfully conduct an authentication handshake operation with the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the authentication handshake operation comprises an encrypted identify verification protocol. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the authentication handshake operation comprises an identify verification operation where the bridge node processor is operative to send a challenge to the mobile transceiver to which the mobile transceiver responds with a correct response to the challenge as part of the authentication handshake operation. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the bridge node is operative to authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle based upon authentication data received from the backend server, the authentication data identifying an authorized entity dispatched for the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the authentication data comprising a device identifier for an authorized communication device associated with the authorized entity dispatched for the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor, prior to receiving the status information, is further operative to:
 detect, after transmission of the retrieved event information to the backend server, the mobile logistics asset using an external proximity sensor coupled to the bridge node; and   authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the detected mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor, prior to receiving the status information, is further operative to:
 detect, prior to receiving the status information, the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset after transmission of the retrieved event information to the backend server; and   authenticate whether the mobile transceiver is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to receive the status information from the mobile transceiver by being further operative to receive an operating status message from the mobile transceiver having information on an operating status of a delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset; and
 wherein the bridge node processor is operative to generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state by being further operative to:
 authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle, and 
 generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state when (a) the mobile transceiver has been authenticated by the bridge node as being authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle and (b) based upon the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to generate a subsequent signal as the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the unlocked state to the secure state based upon updated status information received from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to generate a subsequent signal as the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the unlocked state to the secure state based upon updated status information received from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to receive an unlock request from the backend server, the unlock request being based upon a current location of the mobile logistics asset received by the backend server from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to:
 receive an authentication unlock request from the backend server;   in response to the authentication unlock request, authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle; and   generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state when (a) the mobile transceiver has been authenticated by the bridge node as being authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle and (b) based upon the status information received from the mobile transceiver.   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle by being further operative to successfully conduct an authentication handshake operation with the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state by being further operative to
 receive a courier validation message from the mobile transceiver prior to generating the lock control input; and   generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state based upon (a) the status information received from the mobile transceiver and (b) the courier validation message received from the mobile transceiver.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state by being further operative to
 receive a courier validation message from the mobile transceiver prior to generating the lock control input; and   generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state (a) based upon the status information received from the mobile transceiver and (b) when the courier validation message received from the mobile transceiver indicates a validation approval input from an operator of the mobile transceiver to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state.   
     
     
         32 . An improved connected logistics receptacle system with proactive unlocking functionality related to a dispatched logistics operation by a mobile logistics asset having an associated mobile transceiver, the system comprising:
 a storage receptacle for receiving a delivery item, the storage receptacle comprising
 a temporary storage area for temporarily maintaining the delivery item once the delivery item has been deposited within the storage receptacle, 
 a selectively accessible retrieval door providing access to the delivery item within the temporary storage area of the storage receptacle, and 
 a lock disposed on the storage receptacle and relative to the selectively accessible retrieval door, the lock being operative to change between two lock states in response to a lock control input, wherein a first of the lock states comprises a secure state that prevents the selectively accessible retrieval door from opening and providing access to within the temporary storage area, wherein a second of the lock states comprises an unlocked state that allows the selectively accessible retrieval door to open relative to the temporary storage area for selective access to within the temporary storage area, 
   a bridge node mounted to the storage receptacle, the bridge node being operative to communicate with a backend server and the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset;   a wireless accessory sensor node having at least one sensor that monitors for a deposit of the delivery item relative to the storage receptacle, wherein the wireless accessory sensor node being further operative to (a) detect receipt of the delivery item relative to the storage receptacle based upon sensor data generated by the at least one sensor and (b) notify the bridge node of time-based event information available for upload related to the detected receipt of the delivery item; and   wherein the bridge node being further operative to
 retrieve the time-based event information from the wireless accessory sensor node in response to the notification from the wireless accessory sensor node, 
 transmit the time-based event information to the backend server to cause the backend server to initiate the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle, 
 receive status information from the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset while the mobile logistics asset performs the dispatched logistics operation, the status information including an operating status related to the mobile logistics asset, and 
 generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state based upon the status information received from the mobile transceiver while the mobile logistics asset performs the dispatched logistics operation. 
   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node is operative to receive the status information from the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset by being further operative to receive the status information from a mobile node-enabled badge carried by courier personnel operating as the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node is operative to receive the status information from the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset by being further operative to receive the status information from a mobile handheld communication device carried by courier personnel operating as the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node is operative to receive the status information from the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset by being further operative to receive the status information from a vehicle-based transceiver operating as the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the operating status related to the mobile logistics asset comprises information on a delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the operating status related to the mobile logistics asset comprises information on an operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset comprises an ignition status of the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset comprises a location status of the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset comprises a movement status of the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset comprises a movement status of the delivery vehicle and a location status of the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the location status of the vehicle comprises a current location of the delivery vehicle relative to a location of the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the location status of the vehicle comprises a current location of the delivery vehicle relative to a geo-fence location associated with the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node is further operative, prior to receiving the status information, to detect the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset after transmission of the time-based event information to the backend server. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the bridge node is operative to detect the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset by being operative to detect an identification message broadcast from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node is further operative to authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the bridge node is operative to generate the lock control input by being further operative to generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state when (a) the mobile transceiver has been authenticated by the bridge node as being authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle and (b) based upon the status information received from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the bridge node is operative to authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle by being further operative to successfully conduct an authentication handshake operation with the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the authentication handshake operation comprises an encrypted identify verification protocol. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the authentication handshake operation comprises an identify verification operation where the bridge node is operative to send a challenge message to the mobile transceiver to which the mobile transceiver responds with a correct response message to the challenge message as part of the authentication handshake operation. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the bridge node is operative to authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle based upon authentication data received from the backend server, authentication data identifying an authorized entity dispatched for the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the authentication data comprising a device identifier for an authorized communication device associated with the authorized entity dispatched for the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node, prior to receiving the status information, is further operative to:
 detect, after transmission of the retrieved event information to the backend server, the mobile logistics asset to be within a threshold distance from the storage receptacle using an external proximity sensor coupled to the bridge node; and   authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the detected mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle.   
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node, prior to receiving the status information, is further operative to:
 detect, prior to receiving the status information, the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset after transmission of the retrieved event information to the backend server; and   authenticate whether the mobile transceiver is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle.   
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node is operative to receive the status information from the mobile transceiver by being further operative to receive an operating status message from the mobile transceiver having information on an operating status of a delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset; and
 wherein the bridge node is operative to generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state by being further operative to:
 authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle, and 
 generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state when (a) the mobile transceiver has been authenticated by the bridge node as being authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle and (b) based upon the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
   
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to generate a subsequent signal as the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the unlocked state to the secure state based upon updated status information received from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to generate a subsequent signal as the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the unlocked state to the secure state based upon updated status information received from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to receive an unlock request from the backend server, the unlock request being based upon a current location of the mobile logistics asset received by the backend server from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to:
 receive an authentication unlock request from the backend server;   in response to the authentication unlock request, authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle; and   generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state when (a) the mobile transceiver has been authenticated by the bridge node as being authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle and (b) based upon the status information received from the mobile transceiver.   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle by being further operative to successfully conduct an authentication handshake operation with the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state by being further operative to
 receive a courier validation message from the mobile transceiver prior to generating the lock control input; and   generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state based upon (a) the status information received from the mobile transceiver and (b) the courier validation message received from the mobile transceiver.   
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state by being further operative to
 receive a courier validation message from the mobile transceiver prior to generating the lock control input; and   generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state (a) based upon the status information received from the mobile transceiver and (b) when the courier validation message received from the mobile transceiver indicates a validation approval input from an operator of the mobile transceiver to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state.   
     
     
         63 . An improved connected logistics receptacle system with proactive unlocking functionality related to a dispatched logistics operation by a mobile logistics asset having an associated mobile transceiver, the system comprising:
 a storage receptacle for receiving a delivery item, the storage receptacle comprising
 a temporary storage area for temporarily maintaining the delivery item once the delivery item has been deposited within the storage receptacle, 
 a selectively accessible retrieval door providing access to the delivery item within the temporary storage area of the storage receptacle, and 
 a lock disposed on the storage receptacle and relative to the selectively accessible retrieval door, the lock being operative to change between two lock states in response to a lock control input, wherein a first of the lock states comprises a secure state that prevents the selectively accessible retrieval door from opening and providing access to within the temporary storage area, wherein a second of the lock states comprises an unlocked state that allows the selectively accessible retrieval door to open relative to the temporary storage area for selective access to within the temporary storage area, 
   a bridge node mounted to the storage receptacle, the bridge node being programmatically adapted and configured to be operative to:
 transmit time-based event information to the backend server to cause the backend server to initiate the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle, the time-based event information reflecting detection of receipt of the delivery item relative to the storage receptacle, 
 receive status information from the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset while the mobile logistics asset performs the dispatched logistics operation, the status information including an operating status related to the mobile logistics asset, and 
 generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state based upon the status information received from the mobile transceiver while the mobile logistics asset performs the dispatched logistics operation. 
   
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node is operative to receive the status information from the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset by being further operative to receive the status information from a mobile node-enabled badge carried by courier personnel operating as the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node is operative to receive the status information from the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset by being further operative to receive the status information from a mobile handheld communication device carried by courier personnel operating as the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node is operative to receive the status information from the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset by being further operative to receive the status information from a vehicle-based transceiver operating as the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the operating status related to the mobile logistics asset comprises an operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset comprises an ignition status of the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset comprises a location status of the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset comprises a movement status of the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset comprises a movement status of the delivery vehicle and a location status of the delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the location status of the vehicle comprises a current location of the delivery vehicle relative to a location of the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the location status of the vehicle comprises a current location of the delivery vehicle relative to a geo-fence location associated with the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node is further operative, prior to receiving the status information, to detect the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset after transmission of the time-based event information to the backend server. 
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 74 , wherein the bridge node is operative to detect the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset by being operative to detect an identification message broadcast from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node is further operative to authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the bridge node is operative to generate the lock control input by being further operative to generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state when (a) the mobile transceiver has been authenticated by the bridge node as being authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle and (b) based upon the status information received from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the bridge node is operative to authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle by being further operative to successfully conduct an authentication handshake operation with the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 78 , wherein the authentication handshake operation comprises an encrypted identify verification protocol. 
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 78 , wherein the authentication handshake operation comprises an identify verification operation where the bridge node is operative to send a challenge message to the mobile transceiver to which the mobile transceiver responds with a correct response message to the challenge message as part of the authentication handshake operation. 
     
     
         81 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the bridge node is operative to authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle based upon authentication data received from the backend server, authentication data identifying an authorized entity dispatched for the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         82 . The system of  claim 81 , wherein the authentication data comprising a device identifier for an authorized communication device associated with the authorized entity dispatched for the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node, prior to receiving the status information, is further operative to:
 detect, after transmission of the retrieved event information to the backend server, the mobile logistics asset to be within a threshold distance from the storage receptacle using an external proximity sensor coupled to the bridge node; and   authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the detected mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle.   
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node, prior to receiving the status information, is further operative to:
 detect, prior to receiving the status information, the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset after transmission of the retrieved event information to the backend server; and   authenticate whether the mobile transceiver is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle.   
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node is operative to receive the status information from the mobile transceiver by being further operative to receive an operating status message from the mobile transceiver having information on an operating status of a delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset; and
 wherein the bridge node is operative to generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state by being further operative to:
 authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle, and 
 generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state when (a) the mobile transceiver has been authenticated by the bridge node as being authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle and (b) based upon the operating status of the delivery vehicle associated with the mobile logistics asset. 
   
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to generate a subsequent signal as the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the unlocked state to the secure state based upon updated status information received from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to generate a subsequent signal as the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the unlocked state to the secure state based upon updated status information received from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to receive an unlock request from the backend server, the unlock request being based upon a current location of the mobile logistics asset received by the backend server from the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node processor is further operative to:
 receive an authentication unlock request from the backend server;   in response to the authentication unlock request, authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle; and   generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state when (a) the mobile transceiver has been authenticated by the bridge node as being authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle and (b) based upon the status information received from the mobile transceiver.   
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 89 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to authenticate whether the mobile transceiver associated with the mobile logistics asset is authorized to conduct the dispatched logistics operation for the storage receptacle by being further operative to successfully conduct an authentication handshake operation with the mobile transceiver. 
     
     
         91 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state by being further operative to
 receive a courier validation message from the mobile transceiver prior to generating the lock control input; and   generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state based upon (a) the status information received from the mobile transceiver and (b) the courier validation message received from the mobile transceiver.   
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the bridge node processor is operative to generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state by being further operative to
 receive a courier validation message from the mobile transceiver prior to generating the lock control input; and   generate the lock control input to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state (a) based upon the status information received from the mobile transceiver and (b) when the courier validation message received from the mobile transceiver indicates a validation approval input from an operator of the mobile transceiver to automatically change the lock from the secure state to the unlocked state.